Only you hold the answer deep within your own mind

For the umpteenth time Sam abandoned his attempt at learning to completely disregard the exercises on his desk. He sighed. Physics was the poster class for unnecessary, boring classes. And yet there he was, elbow deep in ionic compounds and covalent bonds. To pass the time he did what he always did: survey the class and see if anyone was actually absorbing any of this crap.

And of course, Manuel was scribbling answers so fast it seemed like his pen would catch alight. Sitting in the throne of a front seat, he raked in Mr. Oblivy's approval like a father's pride. Luckily, that distraction was cover for Tim and his group of goons at the back, scratching their names onto their desks. Next to them Derek was participating in a less anarchic act - drooling onto his desk as he slept. Gross.

Then Sam noticed another boy, mirroring his stare. He winked coyly, smiling as he turned away. Sam blinked in confusion. But before he had time to translate the silent conversation the bell rang, and the din shifted his thoughts onto lunch.

Sam sat alone in the cafeteria, waiting for his friends to slide into their usual seats as he picked at his fries. He didn't notice someone slip into the seat adjacent to him until they loudly cleared their throat. It was the same guy as before - the one who winked at him in class. Immediately after noticing his presence, Sam felt a blush creep onto his cheeks.

"Hey," he said, in a voice so naturally sultry it couldn't be taken as anything but seductive. "I'm Sebastian."

"Sam," Sam replied, shaking the proffered hand. "Nice to meet you."

"You too." For some reason, Sam felt like he was on display for the boy. Sebastians narrowed, amorous eyes, his idling stance, that one eyebrow that was raised in appraisal, the fact he was playing a one-sided game of footsie under the table. And for some reason, Sam felt empathetic embarrassment for him, and couldn't bring himself to make him stop. Sebastian's head darted to the left, then he jumped up. "I'll see you later," he said, not waiting for a reply. Sam watched him leave, head tilting in thought. His friends came shortly after, and he greeted them with the usual masculine rowdiness, quickly settling into thought afterwards.

Sam felt something unmistakable when he had talked to Sebastian. He couldn't quite grasp it, and it was veiled by his inexperience with relationships, but he thought he could relate the feeling to... a crush? The thought shook Sam up somewhat - having not liked anyone to suddenly liking a guy. He had never considered himself gay, but thinking back he hadn't enjoyed talking about girls like he should have. As cliche as it is, Sam had always known there was one defining factor of his life that made him different from most of the people he met. He didn't know what it was, but it would constantly cloud his thoughts, pointing out the differences that only he possessed. As subtle as they were, at least now he can put a name to it: homosexuality.

He thought it was almost comedic how quick and resolute it seemed to him. Sam's gay, tada! Not much pizzazz, if he was to be honest, but that's just how it was. A whole disruptive period of bi curiosity and identity issues seemed like too much trouble when immediate self-acceptance fitted with all the symptoms. Sam picked up his burger, deciding not to dwell on irreversible fact. For now, Sam was gay, and he crept silently back into conversation with that in mind.

Sam walked back to his home room, surprised to see Sebastian waiting leisurely against the entrance. He pushed off the wall when he caught sight of Sam, and walked to meet him.

"Hey," he greeted, quietly but clearly. "Follow me." He looked left, then right, then walked briskly down the hall, indifferent to his follower. Sam gathered a sense of secrecy from his tone, and followed with a curious expression. Turning a corner Sam faced an empty corridor. The blonde halted for a moment, seemingly lost before a hand shot swiftly from a janitor's closet and dragged him inside.

"Hey," Sebastian greeted again. The tone and position of his body so close to Sam's revealed this to be his intended greeting - alluring and teasing.

Sam backed against the wall, obviously uncomfortable. "W-What do you think you're doing?"

Sebastian paused, an agitated crease denting his brow. "You're gay, aren't you?"

Sam shrugged. "I don't know."

Sebastian sighed, raising an eyebrow. He forced his lips on Sam, using an art he long ago perfected. He came up for air with the same question. "You're gay, aren't you?"

This time Sam conceded, blushing. "Kinda."

Miss Pillsbury blinked multiple times, trying to connect the dots in her head.

"Sam," she began, "Are you telling me-" she glanced at Puck "-us, that you were- that you..." she failed to find appropriate words, allowing Sam to finish her sentence.

"That I had a boyfriend? Yeah." He tried to say it as calmly as he could, but his whole being cringed at the fact. His voice broke on his last word, and his legs shook with trepidation.

Miss Pillsbury folded a ginger curl behind her ear, smiling gently. "I take it not many people know?" Sam bit his lip, shaking his head. "Well, thank you for telling me such a personal truth. I'll remind you that everything you say in this office is confidential." She turned to face Puck, who had otherwise tuned out. "I hope you respect that." The implied accusation seemed to sober Puck, and he replied without a roll of his eyes.

"Got it," he said, and Miss Pillsbury seemed uncomfortable with his lack of empathy.

"Puck, do you have anything to say to Sam?" At Puck's blank expression, she added, "Maybe something to do with what he just said?"

Puck looked at Sam, who stared down sheepishly, as if he actually was under scrutinization. Puck softened, deciding to play along. "Uh, thanks for telling me that you're gay. I, uh, still respect you and everything." Luckily, Miss Pillsbury misinterpreted their smirks as an exchange of friendship, and interlocked her fingers on her table in accomplishment.

"Wonderful! Now, I'd like to continue this session in a couple of days, but for now I think I've taken enough out of your class time. Say, Friday?"